HIDDEN SPRINGS 15

the next day at noon latigo and irene drove into ajo. the mid town area was spotless and great to look at. they drove through slowley . on reaching the lower end of town irene pointed out a side street through a neighborhood. a few houses down she had him pull to the curb and told him to wait. she got out and walked to a house with a white painted door. the yard was clean and immaculate. roses grew on each side of the walk way. latigo sat and watched as irene knocked on the door. when it opened a elderly woman stood inside. when seeing irene she squeeled and hugged her pulling her into the house. latigo settled back into the seat and pulled his hat down over his eyes. he didnt know how long it was but irene opened the passenger door and told him to come it with her. she was smilling ear to ear. in the house the elderly lady wa setting the kitchen table with plates and silver wear. irene introduced her as miriem ochoa. two hours later they had finished a great meal and mrs. ochoa was babbling away about how much they had missed irene. latigo was relaxed, but wanted to ask about the scavengers, but irene cut her eyes at him and gave a small shake of her head. aftr a bit a middle aged man came into the house. he and irene hugged and irene introduced him as mr. ochoa. miriams son. latigo took notice that he had a hand missing. they all sat at the table and talked about where irene had been, what she was doing and what latigo did. miguel ochoa showed no surprise when he was told where latigos ranch was. finally when every one seemed relaxed irene looked at miguel and asked him point blank if the scavengers had helicopters. with that question his face took on a hard set. he didnt answer. irene explained why she was asking. miguel stood up and went to the kitchen sink and filled a glass with water. " yes we have two." he looked over at latigo with a acusing look. latigo EXPLAINED THAT HE DIDNT CARE WHAT THEY DID ON THE BOMBING RANGE OR HOW THEY DID IT. BUT HE WAS TRAPPED BETWEEN THE CABORCA CARTEL AND THE DRUG DEALERS IN PHEONIX. he told miguel how he got wrapped into calling in the cartels caravans. , that he wasnt going to do it any more. miguel listened and was silent for a few moments. then he said. " we dont agree with killing those people. thats why we buried them. the packs they were carrying wasnt all drugs. there was all kinds of ammunition and weapons. we have it all stored. we take what we pick up either to yuma or maybe tucson to sell. but this stuff we dont know. we started useing the choppers because walking in or driveing was dangerous" he held up the stump of his arm ." we have a man at the range office in gila bend who will let us know the days we can fly in there. the only drugs we ever dealt in was marijuna. we dont hold with the stuff in the packs. what do you think we should do with that?" latigo sat there quiet for a moment. finally he said" burn it, or wash it into a septic tank. destroy it some how. the munitions dont sell on the open market. they could end up in the wrong hands." miguel took on the hard look again" the munitions we will use. we have sent word to the caborca cartel to not come this way again. but if they do we will stop them. not the mules with the back packs, we will go to caborca and end it there. we know who they are there. we have been doing this for many years and few people know we exist. we like it that way. i wouldnt even be talking to you now except for irene. she wouldnt have brought you here unless she trusted you." " i appreciat that. and i wont even mention you to any one. i just want my ranch left alone. i want my life left alone. if the caravans stop comming then the crooked air force people will stopn if they have nothing to pick up. how can i help?"latigo asked. miguel wrote a number on a peice of paper" if you see a caravan or something not supposed to be happening, call me we wont come across your fence. but if you see our birds dont mention us to any one." latigo stood up and exteneded his hand and shook miguels good hand. " you have my word." then turning to mrs. ochoa " thank you for the lunch and your hospitality. " then he turned and went out the door. he could hear irene telling them good bye. . " one side stopped maybe, now i gotta do something with the air crud crooks." he said to him self.